Mbabane: African Alliance Partner and astute business mogul S’thofeni Ginindza says the death of Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini was a big blow to the country’s fight against the corruption scourge.
In an exclusive interview with Independent News, the businessman said Dlamini’s death was of great loss to the country. Ginindza said the late PM was determined to fight corruption without favour.
Ginindza described Dlamini as the Number one fighter of corruption, adding that the late PM had the balls to hold the bull by its horns. “Dlamini’s death was a huge loss to the country more especially his Majesty the King who is always calling to an end to corruption. The King had always lacked someone bold enough to fight the corruption plague and the late PM was the person for the job,” Ginindza said.
On another note, Ginindza lamented about the widespread corruption that is playing itself out in some of the parastatals. Without mentioning names, Ginindza said to combat the scourge, government should always appoint strong board of directors who would be strong and brave enough to root out corruption. He went on to pay tribute to the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) board members who worked with him while he was chairman, saying that they were very bold hence they managed to deal with some corruption which was widespread at the parastal.
The late PM died of COVID-19 in December 2020. He met his death after being airlifted to South African hospital for further treatment.
The late Prime Minister’s fight against corruption was evident in so many ways which includes the passing of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) of 2018. Speaking during the first meeting of the Asset Recovery Committee which has been established following the passing of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) of 2018, Dlamini said the passing of POCA marked a new era in the fight against corruption and organized crime in Eswatini.
During this meeting which was held in September 2019, the late PM said proceeds of criminal activity will be traced and forfeited to the state.
POCA cuts across the spectrum on asset forfeiture and enables the country to comply with international instruments such as (the United Nations Drug Control Conventions, the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (the TOC Convention) and UN United Nations Convention against Corruption.
Businessman Sithofeni Ginindza, who served in numerous Boards in the country said as for him personally he also strive to fight corruption at all costs. He said wherever he is, when he sees or feel any smell of corruption he fights in to no percent. He said his fight against is evident by the performances by performances of the companies or parastatals where he served as a Board of Directors’ Chairman.
Ginindza served as the Chairman for the Board of Directors at Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) tenure there, he was able to assist in revealing that controversial E400 million tender saga which saw a number of employees being suspended.
When asked about the current state of that incident, Ginindza said the investigation was still on going and a report will be provided once the investigation is concluded. He said the investigation was currently at prosecution stage.
Ginindza said fighting corruption has been the King’s mandate to all EmaSwati for over the years as he always touches on the fight against corruption when addressing the nation more especially when delivering the speech from the throne.
In 2019, the King described the scourge as the major impediment towards sustained economic development. In his address, the King acknowledged the enactment of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, 2018 and the establishment of the Asset Forfeiture Unit as a milestone in asset tracing and lifestyle audits to ensure proceeds of crime are returned to the public purse. “We urge the Judiciary to expedite corruption cases so that perpetrators get to see that the country means serious business.”
Six (6) years ago in one of his addresses, the King said combating corruption should be one of the essential prerequisites for the rule of law and good governance.
In his speech during the official opening of the Fifth Session of the 10th parliament, the King highlighted that the nation should note that, as they pursue the country’s economic growth initiatives, there is need to upscale the fight against corruption. His Majesty disclosed that: “Eswatini has joined other members of the African Union (AU) in declaring 2018 as the African Anti-Corruption year, hence everyone must play their part effectively.”
In his 2017 address in parliament, the King applauded the appointment of judges to the High Court specialising in corruption, commercial and related crimes, as a commendable step towards addressing some of the existing shortcomings in the judiciary. He also recognised the fact that the country then had a full Swazi bench of the Supreme Court of Appeal, which made it fully compliant with the provisions of the country’s constitution. “We look to these judges to ensure that they maintain the highest standards in the execution of their duties and preserve the confidence in our judiciary. We now need to ensure that those found guilty are brought to book and that illicit assets are recovered as soon as possible,” the King was quoted saying.
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